Power Politics and Security in the Arctic

Politics and Security in the Arctic (POPSARC) asks two overarching questions. First, what characterises Western allies’ current approaches to security in the Arctic? Second, how are allied interactions in the Arctic sphere materialising – in statements, strategies, and observable material practices – across key security domains? While there is a rapidly growing body of literature tracing and unpacking the ambitions and actions of Russia and China in the Arctic, and Western actors’ responses to their moves, limited scholarly attention has been given to the (changing) fabric of allied interactions in the region. At a time marked by major international turbulence – war in Europe, the breakdown of established diplomatic fora, the entry of new actors and stakeholders – there is an urgent need for also understanding the approaches of and interaction dynamics between Western allies operating in or near the Arctic. The project focuses on eight states: The seven Arctic states Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Canada and the USA, as well as the UK - which defines itself as the Arctic's nearest neighbour. Zooming in on the time period 2014-2026, the research team will study Western allies’ approaches to and interaction patterns in Arctic security across three domains: Diplomacy, military collaboration, and infrastructure governance. The project employs a theory framework organised around the concepts of foreign policy repertoires, community-building, and differentiation. We use this framework to study changes in discourse and observable interaction practices in three domains: diplomacy, military collaboration, and infrastructure governance. Project findings will add to the knowledge production on Arctic security, helping policy makers arrive at better-informed decisions, and informing members of the general public.

At a time marked by major international turbulence – war in Europe, the breakdown of established diplomatic fora, the entry of new actors and stakeholders – there is an urgent need for also understanding the approaches of and interaction dynamics between Western allies operating in or near the Arctic. Power Politics and Security in the Arctic (POPSARC) addresses this knowledge need. While there is a rapidly growing body of literature tracing and unpacking the ambitions and actions of Russia and China in the Arctic, and Western actors’ responses to their moves, limited scholarly attention has been given to the (changing) fabric of allied interactions in the region. POPSARC will theorise, trace, and unpack allied interaction patterns in and around the Arctic. Doing so, the project asks two questions. First, what characterises Western allies’ current approaches to security in the Arctic? Second, how are allied interactions in the Arctic sphere materialising – in statements, strategies, and observable material practices – across key security domains? Zooming in on the time period 2014-2026, the POPSARC team will study Western allies’ approaches to and interaction patterns in Arctic security across three domains: Diplomacy, military collaboration, and infrastructure governance. Theoretically, it will employ a theory framework organised around the concepts of foreign policy repertoires, community-building, and differentiation. Empirically, it combines the study of dominant and alternative representations in official and wider political and discourses, with a study of observable interaction practices in the domains of diplomacy, military collaboration, and infrastructure governance. In terms of output, the project will deliver academic articles, events, talks, popular publications, and social media engagement. Project results will add to the knowledge production on Arctic security, help policy makers arrive at better-informed decisions, and educate members of the public.